Melissa Wallentine

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world’s leader in the search for a cure for people with cystic fibrosis, a rare, genetic disease that progressively limits the ability to breathe, causing debilitating lung infections, and ultimately, premature death. Our relentless determination to improve and prolong life has made a dramatic difference in the lives of people with the disease. Sixty years ago, most children with CF died before reaching elementary school, but thanks to Foundation-led advances in research and care, people with cystic fibrosis are living into their 20s, 30s and beyond. Dozens of CF therapies are in development or available to patients because of our work–including Kalydeco—which Forbes called “the most innovative new drug of 2012.” The CF Foundation’s business model has been featured on the front pages of The New York Times and The Washington Post, and is the subject of two Harvard Business School case studies. In 2015, President Obama cited the dramatic progress in treating cystic fibrosis as a powerful example of precision medicine during the State of the Union address. We are steadfast in our commitment to change the course of this devastating disease and continue to invest heavily in science, drug development, and our innovative care model to advance this mission. The CF Foundation also funds and accredits a nationwide network of 120 care centers which provide vital treatments and resources to patients and families. This network has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health as a model of care for a chronic disease and has played a critical role in improving outcomes for people with cystic fibrosis. The CF Foundation, based in Bethesda, Maryland, is a nonprofit, donor-supported organization and an accredited charity of the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance. Please visit us at www.cff.org, on Facebook www.facebook.com/cysticfibrosisfoundation or on Twitter @CF_Foundation